Battelle and its partner Grupo AIA's subsidiary Elequant have completed their evaluation of a smart grid technology, which could help astronauts in Nasa's further deep space exploration missions.

The companies worked together as part of a contract with Nasa Glenn Research Center, and have submitted a final report on the technology.

Battelle said that the Holomorphic Embedding Load-Flow Method (HELM) algorithm is designed to facilitate reliable operation of deep-space manned missions beyond Mars, and terrestrial applications to all-electric passenger aircraft.

Said to comply with the space agency's standards, the technology will help spacecraft pilots with fault-tolerant autonomous control of power management and distribution systems.

In the event of a problem with the power system the tool will generate a solution for recovery, enabling astronauts to carry on with other tasks.

As part of the second phase of the contract, the companies will evaluate an Earth-bound microgrid representing a deep space module's power system.

Battelle has expanded its presence into smart grid segment following a deal with Gridquant to distribute its software products in the US, US territories, Canada and India.

Headquartered in Ohio, Battelle manufactures products and provides critical services for government and commercial customers. It also serves national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries.